Hi JB: I have a similar arrangement, though I upgraded the stock traveller to all-new Harken when I bought Tiny Dancer. Relocating aft, as Larry has done, is probably a good idea. Getting the traveller bolts installed is a HUGE pain, since the traveller is installed before the deck is placed on the hull and there's barely any room. I have often thought about building a removable fiberglass bridgedeck for the area just underneath the traveller and aft of the companionway, since I currently have to step over the traveller to get into the cabin anyway, and a flooded cockpit will pour directly into the cabin... I nearly sunk my boat with rainwater after I forgot to re-open the cockpit drain seacock once, and the excess went straight below. It gave the bilge a good rinse, though. A bridgedeck there would add a small locker to the cockpit, reduce the volume the cockpit could hold, and makethe cabin a hair less likely to be flooded by a boarding wave. The area underneath the traveller is pretty much unuseable space anyway. It'll have to be a winter project, though. Along the same lines, another upgrade that I'm planning is to add a second cockpit drain line, well above the waterline but below the level of the cockpit sill, just in case I get another cockpit full for some reason (or something clogs the drain screen). Best BG -- Brian Gilbert Author, Fix It And Sail, The Complete Trailer-Sailor Marine Media 3404 Hartford Dr Chattanooga, TN 37415 www.sailingsmall.com From: montgomery_boats-request@mailman.xmission.com Reply-To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Date: Mon, 02 Jun 2008 10:24:07 -0600 To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: montgomery_boats Digest, Vol 64, Issue 3 Hello All... Progressing nicely with a minor re-fit of my new-to-me 1977 M-17 "Serenita" (translation... Little Mermaid...formerly Chica Buena here in San Diego). Got the manual bilge pump hoses put back on (thank heavens my 13 year old could climb into the port locker and reach back into the interior transom cavity!), painted bilge areas under the v-berth locker, under the cockpit aft of the cabin, and in all other lockers, re-oiled interior teak, and made and varnished new hatchboards, buffed the hull, bottom painted, and new graphic striping created. All photos recorded for addition to a website at some point. Now for a couple of pending issues. 1) Traveler : My traveler car, as I have found is common in earlier models, is inches aft of the companionway entry. Despite reviewing prior archives for the list, I have yet to learn if any of the prior owners have come up with a concise solution for an upgrade or a relocation of the traveler and I would really appreciate learning from you M-17 veterans. Once I figure out whether to move it or just upgrade the components, I will record the upgrade process for addition to the Tech portion of our website, so all feedback welcome. 2) Cockpit Drainage : Ok, this seems to be a challenge. As the access to the aft area of the boat is restricted to all but a 13 year old, how have any of you solved or re-designed the cockpit drainage or does it work as is?? Mine has the single drain aft of the cockpit deck and drains to a hose which has been "snaked" and exits to a thru-hull under the water line. Has anyone changed this arrangement?? I know Carlos posted a week or so that he had similar questions....but I saw no responses. 3) Bilge Pump : Would anyone share their experience with the install of an electric bilge pump or is this not a common practice with the M-17's? If you have them, could you advise as to where you exit hoses? Thanks for any help on the above! Best, JB 1977 M-17 "Seranita" San Diego